The colourful streets of the Bo-Kaap were brightened with cheer on Sunday November 6 when 22 000 spectators attended the global non-motorised Red Bull Box Cart Race in South Africa.
The event had over 50 interesting teams with the most peculiar concept carts attempting to go down the racetrack in the fastest time. Teams included “The Flintstones”, “Max Speed”, “Morning Glory”, “Filions”, “Phala Phala Bank”, and team “Dala What You Must”, headed by South African comedian Jason Goliath, just to name a few.
The second team to take on the intricate track designed by the 2009 Dakar Rally winner and Red Bull athlete Giniel de Villiers, which featured a cobblestoned obstacle course by one of the sponsors, American tyre company BFGoodrich, the Potjie Boytjies used their pot-like structured cart to navigate through at a fast pace. The team of five from Stellenbosch also delivered the most impressive skit performance ahead of their race, which wowed the judges and played an integral role in their victory — teams were judged on the creative concept of their carts, entertainment factor and speed.
The judging panel had their hands full as they witnessed entertaining skits, crashes and a few DNFs (did not finish).
The panel included musicians Courtnaé Paul and Nasty C, international German racer and half of the Red Bull Drift Brothers Team, Elias Hountondji, 2009 Dakar Rally winner and Red Bull athlete Giniel de Villiers, vibe bringer Smech Precious and DHL Stormers hooker Siyabonga “Scarra” Ntubeni. Ultimately, Cape Town’s own Potjie Boytjies claimed victory.
“The event was a great success, judging by the number of people in attendance. The atmosphere of the historical Bo-Kaap was incredible, it was beautiful to see the Red Bull Box Cart Race fit into its colourful character,” said De Villiers. “It was a pleasure to be part of the judging panel and to see the intention and effort put into building the carts we judged.”